NT: The Book of Mark, Chapter 11

Mark 11:1-33

11:1 As we know, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John tell the story of the same account from their different perspectives. We studied the following verses in Matthew 21. 

11:2 What we can gather from this verse is that Jesus was informed and certain of the plan, of His life's mission. He knew what to do and when, specifically. We can observe that God has an intricate plan for each tiny detail of our lives, individually, and for humanity as well. 

11:3 When we develop our faith in God, we realize that His intention is to provide the best quality of life for us possible. We learn to trust Him when He guides us. God works with His children who have accepted Him and we can understand that these 2 disciples are being sent to an informed, faithful person of God. Jesus informs them that they will not have trouble procuring the colt because the colt's owner is prepared for this event to take place. 

11:4 The situation proves to be precisely as Jesus explained it would be. When we work with God, at developing our faith and relationship with Him, as well with ourselves, we understand that His guidance is faultless. Everything He leads us through is purposeful and instructive.

11:5-6 Everything goes smoothly. Sometimes we find ourselves in a position where we think we will fail or the task seems difficult or contradictory to what other people would prefer us to do -- but when you create a plan with God, He reduces the barriers and we pass over them easily.

11:7 Active Representation: It's important to highlight that these men were working in the name of God. We have to be workers -- and that does not mean we have to be rigidly religious or force rules on other people. To be a worker of God means to actively represent the qualities He is made of: compassion and kindness. 

Remember Mark 9:40, where Jesus teaches that those who do the same work as us and with us. Diversity is beautiful, God has allowed it and Has offered His love and blessings to the entire, diversified world. We must learn from His example: we must also offer our love and support to the entire, diversified world. Our identification card is not our religion, it is our heart... our soul, the way we express our spirit and who we are.

11:8 God's mission is a joint-effort. God wishes to work with us to accomplish love and kindness. 1 Corinthians 3:9, we are fellow workers of God. God is so generous to share with us the opportunity to bring love and foster kindness and friendship in the world. This verse is symbolic for our blessed opportunity to help clear a path for all that God stands for to succeed in the world. 

In this verse, people took what was in their possession and offered it to the great task of helping Jesus, who represents kindness and wisdom, travel throughout. 

11:9-10 They show their faith and their happiness in God. We should stay close and observant with out own faith as it feeds to us an indescribable light and courage. 

11:11 When they arrive, it's late so Jesus focuses His teaching on the disciples who are with Him (and have the unique opportunity to learn from Him at any hour and all times) This is a unique opportunity we have as well. 

11:12 Jesus' hunger is not for mere food, it's for teaching the word of God. Jesus' "hunger" metaphor is going to lead Him to teaching the disciples a great message. Let's continue:

11:13-14 In these verses we get a glimpse into the Parable of the Fig Tree, which Jesus instructed us to learn in Matthew 24:32. 

Jesus is alluding to a deeper message, one which began in Jeremiah 24:

• 24:1 God was teaching Jeremiah about good and evil. There are two baskets of figs.
• 24:2-3 One basket of figs was representative of good people and the other basket was representative of bad people. 
• 24:5-7 God explains through metaphor to Jeremiah: The good figs (good people) will always be loved and protected by God.
• 24:8-10 God explains through metaphor to Jeremiah: The bad figs (evil people) will always be lost and in turmoil because of their rejection of what God stands for. (Remember that we choose how and if we are blessed by being kind people... our compassion leads us to happiness and selfishness/greed lead to frustration and turmoil).

Jesus rejected this tree before it was even time to harvest, let's explore the metaphor: God knows the true nature of your soul at all times, even better than you even understand yourself. Jesus was quite intelligent, a manifestation of all that God is and so we know that He knew when the proper season for harvesting fruit was... He brought the disciples to this tree prematurely to teach the lesson that at all times, God knows who is a good fig and who is a bad fig. Jesus knew that this particular tree would produce bitter, or bad, figs and therefore He commanded that no one take from the tree.

Remember that the metaphor of tree and fruit is a metaphor of humans. We each are a tree which produces good or bad (fruit) in the world. God does not want a student or innocent person learning from a bad, corrupted person. By rejecting this tree, Jesus is rejecting the bad examples, bad influences, deceptive teachers of the world for corrupting people and leading them into greed and hatred. 

Harvest is representative of the time of God's coming when we does "inventory" so to speak, of the fruits we produced. Were we kind? Were we fair? These are sweet, good fruits. 

Jesus came to this tree before the harvest (Jesus came to Earth before God' return) and He came to instruct us (the trees) to produce good fruits... He did not come yet to organize and separate the good from bad (it's not harvest yet). Jesus came to lead the bad to good and to give the good hope and instruction to continue being good to prepare them for the harvest. 

God knows the true nature of our souls indeed, and yet He gives us this opportunity on Earth to grow and change and evolve and become good or better than how we began. So, while God rejects evil and bad, He allows us the complete freedom to BE and DO whatever we want so they WE define ourselves. 

Jesus rejects this tree because He wants to warn us: bad figs (bad people) will try to corrupt or scare us but we must not eat their fruit. We must reject them. We must be observant and must think for ourselves to find wisdom and hold onto truth and goodness.

11:15-16 This is so relevant to today's world. Jesus enters a place of worship and finds that the leaders are using religion to control and charge students. Jesus is infuriated, and justifiably so. Remember Mark 10:35, Jesus came to serve not to be served, and so why do certain humans think they are worthy of being served?

God wants us to keep our spirituality clear and pure, empty and unpolluted by money and politics. God does not work to control anybody -- He allows complete freedom and gives love and kindness. Of course humans require some kind of society to uphold social norms and organization but should not use religion for our own benefit as a social system of control/power as so many do. 

Jesus is loving, kind, compassionate, wise... and filled with passion for His beliefs. You can be both filled with passion and peaceful simultaneously. God needs courageous, passionate students and teachers of His word.

Jesus sees children of God being taken advantage of and it ignites His passion for them. We must speak against evil when we see it and defend and bring good to situations that do not have it. There is a peaceful, purposeful way to defend equality, kindness and compassion: We speak boldly, bravely, and with surety. 

11:17 An establishment build in the name of God is for praying and teaching truth. It is not a place of judgement, control or commerce. 

11:18 The leaders of these religious establishments were angered because the people who were previously under their complete control, were finding faith and truth in Jesus instead. They were losing money and their greed led them to despise and work against Jesus and the word of God.

11:19 Jesus completed the business of teaching and uncovering truth. He always accomplishes His mission. We should also remain productive. Do what we have to do and move onto our next task... never linger idly. 

11:20 We return to the Parable of the Fig tree. The Fig tree that was rejected by Jesus has withered and dried up from the roots. When God rejects something from His multiverse, from the Earth... from existence, it is wiped from existence from it's very root. Nothing stays behind to regrow. This metaphor teaches us that when God identifies and organizes the bad from the good, the bad will be gone forever without any chance to return.

11:21 The disciples are amazing... teaching look!, they say. God is amazing: What He does is so quick, so complete and so focused in love and on protecting it.

11:22 "Have faith in God"... have faith in God because with God, through your faith, everything is possible and you are so loved and protected while you accomplish the impossible. Have faith in God, Jesus tells us, because from this metaphor we see that He will take care of us... He will pull the evil out from the root and it had no chance against us when we stand with God.

11:23 This is a beautiful metaphor: mountains in the Bible are often representative of nations. Jesus wants us to know that with God, an individual can even change the world. With complete trust in God, your faith allows His presence in your life... He waits to be invited by you. He does for you only what you believe He can do... likewise He does for you ALL that you believe he can do. With compassion and good intention, you and God truly can change the your world... the world. 

It might sound grand and impossible but history has showed us how much a compassionate person can accomplish. God is ready and eager to help you through and with all things... put your hand in His.

11:24 This verse is so beautiful: "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."

It's so reassuring to have God as your best friend, your love, your guide, your parent... to wake up every morning trusting Him, to go to bed every night having walked with Him throughout your day. We humans are an impatient and anxious kind, we constantly worry and desire... it's a blessed relief to know that our Brilliant, Perfect Entity is working diligently to deliver happiness to our lives. He hears our prayers before we speak or think them, He knows our heart without our explanation, He sees our complete path and so He knows how to lead us. If we can develop our faith and our trust, He will lead us through this journey because we have given Him our love (and therefore our permission for His presence in our lives). He loves you. He loves you so intensely, so selflessly that it brings Him indescribable joy to bring joy to you. 

We can trust that God will answer our prayers not just because He is True and Honest and Fair but also because He wants to answer our prayers. He wants to make you strong, wise and brave and together with Him your prayers will be answered... just as you answer His wishes when you are compassionate with His fellow children.

11:25 We really do have the power to determine our relationship with God. He gives us what we give to others. We define what forgiveness is... by showing Him our definition of forgiveness. We define what compassion is... by showing Him our definition of compassion. 

God says to us: live and think the way you believe a soul should live and think. He analyzes our interpretation of life and thought and returns it to us with initiative. If we, individually, decide that compassion is boundless... God's compassion for us is boundless as well. 

He's going to be as attentive with us as we are with others. 

11:26 It's a two-way lesson. If we neglect others, our actions reveal to God that we believe in a neglectful life. If we never give to others our friendship, compassion, support... God will never give us friendship, compassion or support... why? Not as a punishment but instead because our actions told Him that is what we believe is fair and right. He let's us define our world.

11:27 Trouble arrives. Remember that with God, you get through all adversity. Adversity is reality -- there will always be a person there to challenge your beliefs but with God they have no control over you.

11:28 These men want Jesus gone so that they can resume their deceptive reign over these people. They ask Jesus: Who gave you the authority to be here? Now, let's take a minute to wonder: Why on Earth would anyone NEED permission to be kind and honest? God allows us to analyze these men for ourselves and we can easily see that they are greedy and without logic.

11:29 Jesus never boasts. Jesus knows that whatever answer He gives, these men will not believe or accept Him. He also knows that He is a humble soul and He wants people to listen to Him because their hearts are kind and not out of forced reverence. Jesus has wise instruction from God (which you can also have) and so He knows how to deal with these men.

11:30 He asks them: Was John the Baptist from God or Men.

11:31 These wicked men know that if they answer "From Heaven" they will admit that Jesus' permission to be there teaching is from God (which was the message of John the Baptist). 

11:32 These wicked men also know that if they answer "From men" the multitude of people around them will erupt in vehement anger because John the Baptist was wholeheartedly accepted as prophet by them. These wicked men want the people back on their side (under their control) so they cannot afford to anger them. 

11:33 They tried to escape the question by saying they did not know (but they sure did know! They were only focused on their own gain.) 

And Jesus, quite wonderfully, responds to them this way: He owes them no answer. They would not be honest and straightforward... He gives nothing to them who use, abuse, and deceive many. He gives them no answer because this confrontation has revealed they they know Who He is but choose to reject Him. Jesus does not waste time with selfish games. They know who He is, He does not need to tell them.

NT: The Book of Mark, Chapter 10

Mark 10:1-52

10:1 As He was accustomed, He taught them again. Jesus does not get tired or weary or burned out, He does what He's good at with passion and effervescence. Our progress and happiness in life is so dependent on our ability to be motivated and passionate. Jesus had a clear and focused purpose, derived from His heart and soul. If you do not know your purpose yet, make your purpose be: finding your purpose! Think about what inspires your creativity. Think about what motivates you to be your best, most compassionate self and explore those avenues. God wants to work with us and He does not force us to do anything... He wants us to do what we love, become accustomed to it, and keep doing it for the world! 

10:2 Although the Pharisees intentions are to confuse and debase Jesus' teachings, Jesus is knows His stuff, so to speak. Be the same. Create yourself. Know what you stand for and why and no person will be able to dismantle you.

The Pharisees want know if it's right for a man to divorce his wife. Before we even go forward we need to consider the time frame the Pharisees and Jesus are currently in. This was a time when women had little to no social standing, society was constructed so that they were entirely dependent on men. In this time, divorcing a woman meant cutting her off from life in many ways. 

We also must remember that a union under God is special: two of His children have decided to live and work together during their lives on Earth. In everything good we do, God wants us to remain committed and passionate because He promises to be committed and passionate with us. 

God understands and forgives all of our choices. He wants us to make good, wise decisions that promote our happiness and others' happiness. When you feel in your heart that you've made a good decision, chances are good is right there with you, supporting you while you carry it out.

10:3 Jesus refers the Pharisees to the very book they "say" they follow.

10:4 Years before, Moses wrote that a person could divorce another.

10:5 Jesus explains to us that because humans are able to make commitments and then break them, God understands. But realize how sweet and perfect God's love is: He has a difficult time digesting the fact that we can so easily ditch or divorce one another. God's relationship with us is eternal, no matter what we do but more than that...He doesn't do anything bad to us. Humans are not this perfect. Humans hurt each other quite often and are able to break bonds. God forgives humans for having "hard" hearts.

10:6-7 God created the opportunity for families. We are born and raised within our families and then we make new families with our spouses. God wishes for us to stay committed to our families but He understands that it does not always happen.

10:8-9 God takes our relationships with each other (platonic and romantic) very seriously. He wants us to be kind and committed friends, kind and committed spouses, kind and committed siblings, grandchildren...etc, etc. When we destroy or damage those bonds it really hurts Him because He knows how much those situations hurt us. 

God is not a strict disciplinarian. He gives us guidelines to live by so that we live the happiest lives we can. Do not be so focused on rules that you forget He loves you and wants to guide you, not command you.

10:10 The disciples have questions of there own regarding this subject.

10:11-12 We already know that God forgives and understands everything that we say, think and do. So, if God is warning us against breaking unification, we have to dissect the reason why (because we know He isn't warning us because He wants to punish us). God does not want a man or a woman to leave their partner sad, lonely or without means (shelter, food, support). So He's just letting us know that it's NOT okay to abandon one person for another. A mutual parting is understood by Him if both people are taken care of. An unhealthy relationship is understood by Him if the person(s) benefit and grow from a bad situation. God is logical and compassionate. He knows your heart. He knows when you make a tough decision for a good reason and He knows when people make malicious or vengeful decisions. He's always in support of kindness and compassion. He wishes we could work through our difference (because WE are the ones who proclaimed unions between each other) but He understands that it's not always simple. 

10:13 The disciples are... well, disciples. They are students. They are still learning. There are spending a lot of time with Jesus and probably starting to feel kind of important, maybe a little, tiny bit arrogant. Jesus is here to teach them to be humble and He will take this opportunity to do so.

Likely the disciples want to keep teaching adults because society often gives more attention to adults but God loves and listens to all of His children, regardless of age (and many other things) and He wants us to do the same.

10:14  Jesus was "greatly displeased" at the disciples rebuke of the children and welcomed the children instead. Such is the kingdom of God: God welcomes all people, teaches all people, has compassion for all people. 

God does not dismiss any person. He values the thoughts and ideas of children and adults. 

10:15 Jesus wants us to realize that we can learn valuable, instructive lessons from children. Children are naturally inquisitive, open, honest and compassionate (it is people and experiences which take that out of them or taint it). 

10:16 Jesus so happily and affectionately received them. Jesus blesses the children and we can learn from this because children need our support and encouragement. Our experiences as children largely determine our paths and perspectives as adults. Jesus recognizes that time invested in children is time invested in humanity and humanity's future. When we guide and support children, we help them as they grow to remember that they have value and opportunity and perseverance.

10:17 This question transcends through time, many men have asked it, then and now. How can a person obtain eternal life? There's a bit of trouble with this question, for one thing: it's entirely selfish. More than wanting to live forever, we should desire to help others live. Our compassion should not be narcissistic in nature, but should be given for others. Secondly, of course it's nature to wonder and dream of heaven and of being there but we will learn that this man was a bit selfish -- he wanted to know about the reward and not the work necessary on the road to get there.

If you want to obtain life, ask not how you can save yours but how you can save another's.

10:18 Jesus wants us to understand that God is good. That God is our Indescribable -- the entity through and from which all goodness and wisdom comes. You know, it's possible that maybe this man was trying to "butter" Jesus up. By faking the purity of his reverence for Jesus, perhaps he thought he could inch closer to God's heavenly home. Anyway, we learn that it does not work. Jesus is humble and completely loves and follows the God that even He came from.

But we also can consider it from the opposite point of view: maybe this man really did need the clarification that Jesus is from God, that all is from God. Either way, and maybe intentionally, we learn so much from the context (and what's missing from it) of this situation.

10:19 There are difference intensities of spirituality and as a student and child of God you should be aware of them. God has given us guidelines to live a good life. God has also given us instructions to live another kind of life, one deeper than the first and hidden uniquely for the studious to find. Jesus gives this man a reiteration of what has already been taught in this verse. These are guidelines for the first type of life. This is how to be good. We will continue on before we delve into the second.

10:20 This man has followed the guidelines but he wants to go deeper... or at least he thinks he does. We each, individually, have to decide the type of life we want to live. The more you ask from God, the more He will give you... and with that comes a great responsibility. Most people have a busy or even difficult enough time juggling the first set of guidelines... it takes a truly selfless person to ask for and accept the second. This man requests guidelines for the deeper, more involved guidelines of life, the second type.

10:21 Jesus looked at this man and loved Him. He looked at Him. Do not overlook that sentence. When God, or Jesus through God, looks upon us it is with love and intensity and compassion. Our souls are bared to them: they see all of us, parts even that we are unaware of. Jesus is compassionate with this man who seems to want to do and be more for and with God but Jesus also knows the truth of the man's soul -- that he will not be able to accept the guidelines for this deeper spirituality. It's okay -- God loves us for what we each can handle. He is impartial with His love. If one person is only capable of carrying an ounce of water but they do indeed carry that ounce, God loves that person just as much as the person who was able to carry 10 ounces. Remember, though, that what we ask for, we get. We must assume the responsibility.

Here are the deeper set of guidelines: divest everything you own, donate the proceeds to the impoverished, become poor (in material) yourself and travel throughout teaching the Word of God. Become a teacher and reject the material world.

10:22 This was too much for the man. This man is too deeply attached to his possessions. He liked being wealthy. Money and material made him feel secure. A deeply spiritual student of God feels secure in God alone and does not need money or material. Think about it realistically: SELL everything you own, and become a teacher of God. It would be a scary and difficult decision without complete faith in God. Remember: it's okay. God understands that we are not perfect, and that our faith is always in a constant state of development. However, if you wish to continue to delve deeper and deeper into spirituality, God will provide the water.

The first type of spiritual life: How to live a happy life for yourself and friends.
The second type of spiritual life: How to work a happy life for others and even strangers.

10:23 Jesus wanted the disciples (and therefore us too!) to understand a lesson about wealth. He wants us to know that a life lived with surplus wealth will made it difficult to be in heaven. But let's break this down because God does not want us to live hungry or impoverished.

Jesus wants us to know that wealth should not waste away unused and coveted by the possessor when there are people in the world who have no freedom, money, health or shelter because of their lack of it.

Jesus wants us to know that wealth acquired greedily or unjustly will automatically block an entrance into heaven.

Jesus wants us to know that when we have the opportunity to help, we must (want to!) do so. Remember our two types of spiritual lives: you can live a life where you help your friends and your family and you live as a good person. This means supporting the people around you when they truly, innocently need it. That is giving. We can also live a life where we use our abundance to help God's other children.

God wants all of us to be housed, loved, safe, fed and healthy and that includes you! He wants you taken care of and when you ask Him to, He will take care of you... He will work with you so that you can take care of yourself with Him beside you, helping.

When Jesus suggested the man sell everything He meant this: sell everything and trust that God will feed you, house you and protect you (the way you trust the money to) while you travel and teach in God's name. This is a deep, pure level of belief (and likely not attainable or desirable for everyone --- but offered to everyone).

Not all of us are or can be teachers --- it's unrealistic. God wants us to take care of ourselves, not to be impoverished. But when we have the means, we should want to share with others who do not.

10:24 This was a new lesson for the disciples: they were astonished. Pay attention to what Jesus says next: "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God." Let's examine this:

It is hard for God's children (humanity) to get into heaven when they trust in riches because they devoted their life to an inanimate, soulless material. Their trust in money corrupted them: made them feel unsafe, insecure and drove them to be selfish, deceptive, and greedy. Money is a master, it controls humans and has for thousands of years.

Remember that God never closes His door to you or anyone: instead we walk away from His open door. God never rejects us, we reject Him. When we choose money, we reject everything God stands for and we begin our journey away from His home. God places value in others' well-being, in love, truth and justice. Money's value is itself and that is contradictory to God's word.

And many of us may not be aware of the tight grip money or material has on our hearts. It's the age of technology! We have TVs, cars, iPods, phones,... and endless array of material we love to have. Just ensure that no matter what you have, you would always trade it (without hesitation) for another's well-being. The opportunities present themselves: when we can choose between ourselves and others, and we must ensure that what we have is shared (at least in part) with people who have nothing.

There are so many things we consciously or subconsciously cannot imagine living without: but people around the world live and have lived with so much, much less. All we really need is God who provides the sun, water and sustenance we need. Everything else is surplus. Surplus that we are quite dependent upon.

People chase happiness throughout there lives and never find it, always believing it will come from a possession, a job, opportunity or relationship but truly our wealth (and happiness) is only in our relationship with God and ourselves. Be careful where you place your faith.

10:25 You can take this verse literally or metaphorically. 1) A camel will never fir through an actual needle. Impossible. You know how impossible that would be --- that is how hard it would be for a greedy person to find God house, they wandered too far away. 2) In these times a needle was a small opening where only one traveler could fit through a city's wall (easier to guard). A person and their camel only just squeezed through (and had to leave all of their bags and possessions behind to do so). You can't take anything into Heaven except the good work you did with God's word for His children.

10:26 This verse so perfectly fits with today's world (and makes me chuckle a bit) the disciples are stunned: who on Earth could possibly enter Heaven... people love wealth and material so much! They're very concerned, quite worried (for they know how human's love their money!)

10:27 Jesus looked at them, again do not forget the intensity behind Jesus' attention on a person. God and Jesus through God look through our true selves, they see more deeply than we could possible understand. Jesus looks at the disciples and sees the scrambling going on in their minds. Do not worry, Jesus soothes them (and us) it would be impossible for men, but God works so diligently with us. He is so forgiving, so understanding. We each have a unique and particular relationship with Him and in every moment He is with us when we make good (and bad) decisions... He knows where and why and how we go wrong and He has compassion on us.

10:28 Peter boasts a bit and probably meant something like this:  "Look at all of us! We must be really great... we left everything!"

10:29-30 Jesus has an important message, listen and absorb it: When you dedicate yourself to God and to His children... all that you give (time, effort, tears, love, hope, safety...) is returned to you... is multiplied. When you give for God... you receive more than you ever even had. This is a difficult lesson to learn and accept for a lot of humanity. We often believe that we must secure money or a relationship to sustain us... and we are oh, so tragically wrong. God is our life's breath.

When we work for God, He gives us so much, more than we can quantify. Develop your faith and your trust in Him, He only awaits your knock.

10:31 First will be last... and the last first. The people who might appear to be first in this life: the wealthy, the powerful, the famous... may well be last to enter God's house. Never group people together: a wealthy, powerful and famous person can be just as beloved by God as any other person (we do not know anyone's life or soul the way God does). But God wants us to know that while on Earth it may feel like we are unlucky, or victims or poor... but if our spirit and our soul is true and kind, our place in His house is first.

10:32-34 The disciples are going through a profound emotional experience. They are with Jesus, learning about God, learning and seeing things they never believed possible and are also receiving news of Jesus' torture and death... and then resurrection. Jesus' message (like all of His messages) is clear and true. Everything His says WILL happen (as we know from studying the Book of Matthew before this Book of Mark).

10:35 James and John are about to ask for an enormous amount of responsibility, almost more than we can comprehend.

10:36 Let this be evidence: Jesus (and God) always listens to our requests (as they have taught us). Not only to do They attentively listen to our requests... They also grant them. Let this be evidence for you when you feel like you need or want to ask God something: He is listening. He will grant it (if you trust Him to do it in the manner that is in your best interest).

10:37 James and John are asking to have nearly as much task and responsibility as Jesus. Imagine this, James and John spent this precious, valuable time with Jesus and they were inspired, moved with compassion to be like Him. They wanted to teach throughout the world as He was doing.

10:38 Jesus forewarns them first. We must always be observant for God's forewarning in our own lives: He gives us the discernment, the perception, to distinguish what is wise and what is not to do in each of our particular lives. He wants us to be certain when we make a decision. He wants us to be informed and brave. He does not want to overload us with a responsibility we cannot handle -- so He sometimes tests us so that we may test and understand our own strength, ability and bravery. We struggle sometimes in order to learn what strength is and what is takes. We struggle in order to learn the endurance we will need to accomplish great things.

Remember that for all of Jesus' wisdom and purpose and beauty, He was hated and hurt by many people. Jesus is ensuring that James and John know what they are asking for: with the glory comes the struggle and the journey. Jesus' road was not an easy one... and when we love and accept God, we accept that our own lives won't be without struggle... but instead that we will accept that struggle with God and with courage in order to turn something raw or ugly into something formed and beautiful.

10:39 James and John accept the responsibility with the full knowledge of how rough the road could get. This is beautiful to God. They loved and trusted Him so much that their faith would lead them to do impossible things. Jesus reminds them that in order to have what they ask for, they must receive it. It's always a two-way street with God. He will offer you all that you want... but it's up to you to take it, and to use it.

Jesus reminds them to BE as He is and DO as He does. Drink the cup that He drinks. Be baptized with the baptism that He is baptized with. Heart and soul they (we) must be devoted.

Here James and John accept the second type of spiritual life we were talking about. They want to dedicate their entire selves to God and to teaching God's word --- an imperative purpose, a beautiful and selfless mission.

10:40 Jesus reminds them that while we may ask, and are indeed given to, our work determines our place. What we inherit, where we sit in God's house depends on if we will work for it (in good and selfless deeds for others). We may ask God for the opportunity to be great... and He will give us that opportunity...but we must actually do the work of being great to have it. Everything is fair and earned in God's house.

There is a prepared plan. God has prepared it. God knows everything about each individual human and therefore He knows who will rise and succeed, who will accept and love the responsibility. Jesus wants us to know that IF we are true, God knows it... and has allocated a space of us to flourish.

10:41 The other 10 disciples are perhaps a bit overwhelmed. We've been speaking a lot about responsibility in this chapter and remember that there is a capacity limit for each of us. I think the 10 disciples were only worried that they could not be as successful as James and John desired to be. We all want to be our best for God and it's understandable that they might fear falling short. God loves when we do our best... He does not measure it. When we do what we are able to do with what we have, He is proud and happy.

10:42-44 A succinct reminder from Jesus: in God's house, all are equal (and He will further explain this in the next beautiful verse). Jesus wants the disciples (and us) to remember that even if we are given great responsibility, it does not make us any better than anyone else. It just makes us... a good deal busier.

Jesus does not want them (or us) to desire to be great. He wants us to desire to be purposeful. And if our prayers are to be purposeful, they will be answered quickly and fully. We should not desire to be a ruler or famous or wealthy because of our task. We should only desire to do a wonderful task for God. Forget about rank and reward. Do it because your soul thirsts to be purposeful and helpful to your fellow humans.

10:45 Jesus' selflessness, His humility  explained in this perfect, concise verse.

Jesus did not come to be served and revered by you. He came to guide you. He came to love you. He came to help you, to hear you, to see you. Jesus does not want to be ranked for what He did... His reward is your happiness, your safety, your comfort. God wants us to love in this way: for others not for our own benefit.

Remember that countless humans have lived to rule over and control others. For generations men have made up fake gods that punish and control others. Our true God is selfless and humble and Jesus is an exemplification of that.

So Jesus is teaching us this: even the Entity you revere is humble... therefore you must be also.

10:46-48 As if to exemplify even the lesson above, we receive this story of Jesus being humble. Jesus was busy and on a mission... but His mission was for us, and therefore He and God always has time for us. This man called to Jesus (and others did their best to interfere) but He remained faithful and persistent and called to Jesus, worked to be known by Him. We must also work and become known to God. He should recognize our voice in His ears (it's sweet to Him to hear).

Through all the mess and confusion God always hears us calling to Him.

10:49-50 When God allows us, our minds or bodies to do something, we respond without delay.

10:51 What do you want me to do for you? Imagine God is speaking this directly to you -- because He is! God loves to help, love, lead, guide His children. He wants the best for you... He wants to give the best to you -- know Him and trust Him to do it.

This man wants to be able to see. Read more deeply into this: this man wants the wisdom and discernment from God to live a brave and purposeful life. God gives us sight beyond what we think is sight. God gives us the ability to be wise and perceptive in all things. A third eye, if you will -- capable of so much more than the first two.

10:52 Your faith will make you well, too. Your faith in God heals you, protects you and guides you. All gifts from God are welcome to you if you want to take them and use them. Immediately. God works without hesitation or delay. He is immediate and complete.

Do not overlook the last sentence, it's important for you to remember to retain all that God has given or will give to you: he followed Jesus on the road. You must follow God... His path is sure and secure. You will be able to keep and grow all gifts from Him so long as you are with Him. Truth, wisdom, security... they all belong to God... how can you expect to have those things when you leave the creator of them? It's impossible. Remember God does not punish or take anything from any person... people walk away from God. When you leave His Sphere... you choose to leave behind all of the other beauty, wisdom and peace that come with and from Him. Follow. Follow God, He loves you and leads the way. He is with you at every obstacle... He gives you courage for every fear, a voice for every thought, warmth and protection for every discomfort and ability to triumph over every obstacle. 

NT: The Book of Mark, Chapter 9

Mark 9:1-50

9:1 Jesus informs the disciples that a few of them will witness God before they die. Most of us will understand the presence of God only after we leave the Earth. Everything that Jesus and God foretell comes into fruition. 

9:2 Jesus brought Peter, James and John to a private location where He transfigured into His spiritual body. God wants us to understand that our Earthly selves are not our true, eternal selves. Rather, our bodies are a vessel while we are here for our spiritual selves.

9:3 The spiritual body is a miraculous sight and manifestation.  Jesus' spiritual body is vibrant, bright, and pure. In this verse we learn that nothing can be more pure, more bright than the spirit of Jesus through God. 

God wants us to know that our spiritual bodies are beautiful and resilient. They are clean and strong.

9:4 Elijah and Moses appeared, also in their spiritual bodies, and conversed with Jesus. We know that Elijah and Moses were faithful men (spirits) of God. They were able to transfigured into their spiritual bodies and unite with God. This is what God hopes for all of us.

9:5 The disciples were awestruck. Imagine seeing these spiritual bodies, directly from and of God. Immediately they wanted to worship the figures. God is perfect and our Earthly bodies have a difficult time even comprehending the magnitude of Him. 

9:6 The disciples were not afraid so much as they were stunned. They did not know to react to such pure, brilliant beings. When we return home to God we become our spiritual selves too... so perfect. The disciples did not know how to react because the difference between what they were used to and the spiritual body was so great.

9:7 God Himself joins this transfiguration. He wants us to know that He is there. Notice that God does not appear as a person or figure but rather as this amazing manifestation which overshadows. God is our covering. God is always described in the Bible with comparisons to nature. God is more than simply a man or figure... he'd indescribable. 

9:8 God, Elijah and Moses return to heaven and Jesus returns to His earthly body and remains with the disciples.

9:9 Jesus was teaching the disciples about transfiguration -- He wanted to explain what the spiritual body and spiritual home were like. To do that, He showed them. Jesus, and God, is open and willing show all wisdom. Jesus knows that the time for people to learn about the spiritual body will be after his Earthly death. After His earthly death, Jesus knows the children will need to hear about this perfect, eternal body and life that awaits.

Jesus knows that this knowledge would be difficult to grasp for people and He wants to wait for the perfect conditions to teach it.

9:10 The disciples are still stunned at what they've seen but they listen to Jesus and keep the experience to themselves (for now). 

9:11 The scripture speaks of Elijah coming. Malachi 4:5. Matthew 17:11. The disciples have questions regarding his return.

9:12 Jesus confirms that Elijah is coming and tells them (and us) that he will come to restore things. What will be out of order? Well, people go astray and lose their faith. Near the time of God coming, people will really need help being led back to scripture.

Jesus reminds them that He also has come and will fulfill scripture. Everything God tells us is to caution us and to prepare us to deal with and recognize important times in our lives.

9:13 Here we are reminded that the prophets in the Bible were treated very poorly by people. With God, we have the strength to complete our missions and we do not fear any death because we know that we are alive in God. God gives the gifts of wisdom and perseverance. After our mission, our purpose, we are so blessed to return to Him.

Jesus reminds us that scripture will always be fulfilled as it is promised. He also reminds us that working in His name might be an uphill journey. People will not make it easy for us because they are lacking or rejecting the Word of God -- however, they never win over us. Even in death we return to life with God.

9:14 Jesus returns and gathers with the rest of the disciples who are in a dispute.

9:15 Everyone was so excited and exuberant to see Jesus return -- this will happen when Jesus returns to us again. 

9:16 He asks to know the reason behind the dispute. Always communicate with God, even through Jesus. He cares and He loves to help.

9:17-18 A parent brings their son to the disciples to be healed. From the description we can deduce that the boy was having seizures. The disciples were not able to help him. We already know that Jesus has given the disciples the ability to help and heal so if they are failing to do so, the reason might be because their faith is not yet strong enough. We can do all things of compassion especially with God. We only fail or falter when we are not firm in Him. The disciples, without Jesus near, likely lost a bit of their confidence. We must always remain confident because God is always with us even though we cannot visibly see Him right now.

9:19 Jesus is saddened by this. Jesus wants the disciples to be strong and faithful so that they can do great things in God's name after He returns to the spirit. 

9:20 Jesus witnesses for Himself the illness of the child. Remember also that ailment and illness are symptoms of our Earthly bodies but nothing can harm our spiritual bodies.

9:21-22 We learn that this person's child has suffered this affliction for most, almost all of his life. They ask Jesus for compassion -- we know that Jesus has an abundance of compassion.

9:23 "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." Build your faith, building your relationship with God because with Him you can do everything and anything.

9:24 You may and should always ask God for help.

9:25 Jesus heals the child... for good. That is the way God does things, completely and without failure.

9:26 The ailment leaves the child and everyone assumes that the process has killed him... no so.

9:27 Jesus reaches for the hand and lifts him, then he arises. Jesus does this with you also. Take His hand, let him build you up.

9:28 The disciples ask Jesus why they were not able to help the child.

9:29 Some ailments here on Earth are consequence of our mortal bodies. Jesus wants us to know that prayer and working with God is the only way to heal something inside of ourselves. And remember that God works in ways we do not understand. Every scientific or brilliant brain on Earth was given to those humans by God. God is behind all cures and healing (mentally, physically, emotionally). We have to know when something can be cured medically and when an ailment needs a direct bond with God.

9:30 Moving along, Jesus' growing familiarity and popularity crowd His ability to continue moving throughout these cities.

9:31 Jesus is preparing the disciples for His both His death and Hi Resurrection. It's important to Him that they, and we, know that His spirit will never leave.

9:32 The disciples did not understand how a person could return to life, as they knew it, after being killed. Jesus had been working for a long time to help them understand and I think they were a little embarrassed at still not being able to grasp the concept. However, it is a difficult concept for some of us to understand and God knows that and works with us when we diligently work to understand and ask Him for help.

9:33 Jesus had heard the disciples in a heated discussion and although Jesus, through God, knows our thoughts, He wanted to discuss the conflict with the disciples. For their benefit and also for ours.

9:34 Again, the disciples are embarrassed at the topic of their conversation. They were arguing about who would be the greatest disciple between them. God does not want us to strive to try to be the best and most beautiful. God wants us to strive for the well-being of others and to completely disregard any kind of ranking. We are loved equally by God. Focusing on ourselves is time and effort taken away from helping others.

9:35 A succinct lesson from Jesus: When you let arrogance rule your life, you will be considered last by God. If you put yourself first and others last, you put yourself last in Heaven.

God dedicates Himself to us, Jesus dedicates Himself to us, and we are to follow their selfless example. We find happiness, contentment, protection, comfort and love from our Guides, God and Jesus, and they are able to retain their brilliance by projecting compassion at all times.

9:36 Continuing the lesson, Jesus gathers a small child in His arms:

9:37 When you protect and nurture an innocent soul who needs protection and nourishment your actions reverberate toward Jesus and through Jesus, God. We are God's children, He feels everything we endure right along with us (whether we realize it or not). Here, Jesus is reminding the disciples to put aside their own desires for fame and popularity and to focus wholly on helping those who need it (no matter how small and insignificant they may seem to the world).

9:38 This verse is particularly pertinent to today's world. The disciples make a big mistake. The disciples notice some people (perhaps of different faith or no faith) living and working in the ways of God. The disciples are angered by this and order the people to stop because they do not identify as Christians.

God loves all of His children. What is important, is not the book that is read, but the actions that are done. A person who does not identify as Christian is not a bad person. Our actions define us. Let compassion be the unifying concept of the world's differing faiths. The world now is filled with billions of people all of different faith, culture, spirituality and religion. It is especially important for humanity to observe and celebrate our similarities. Honesty, compassion, selflessness, humility and kindness are what God stands for... and any man or woman who stands for those qualities, works in them and at defending them, is recognized and loved by God. We also must love others and not deny or separate ourselves from them.

9:39 Jesus tells the disciples not to forbid these people. Jesus is teaching them that a good act is an act of God, never a denial of God.

9:40 Remember that all people who are kind and honest are a part of God's family. Our cultures do not segregate us, rather our beliefs unite us if we take the notice to realize. The only people who are against God and not part of His family are people who are against compassion and honesty. Religions around the world are constructed to bring people closer to compassion and honesty... we may all be taking alternate modes of transportation but we journey toward the same destination, toward the same God.

Be inclusive.

9:41 Kindness toward any person is seen and acknowledged by God always -- no matter who is behind the kindness.

9:42 Never lead, tempt or manipulate a person away from God. Sometimes our actions can do this: our inability to control our temper or attitude can wear down a person's faith. When a person takes one of God's children off of their path toward Him, He is not going to be happy.

9:43 We are going to examine these next few verses metaphorically. Jesus wants you to realize that when some aspect of your life is causing you to make poor choices, you must remove yourself from that thing. You should not really cut off your hand. To solve any problem, you must adjust and heal your mind. Our temptations and our bad decision all take place in our brain, not in our hand or other extremity. God wants you to know that even if it's difficult, leaving a place or a habit or a friend, we must do so if that place, habit or friend is causing us to be unkind or harmful to the world.

9:44 I do not believe in eternal Hell (and no such place exists in the Bible) however God wants you to know that no evil act will ever stand the chance of returning. While evil people are removed, blotted out of existence, the ability for evil will be constantly subdued by God. Their worm does not die, the evil which they produce will be ever weakened and imprisoned by God... it can never escape nor return. God wants you to know that He keeps a keen and constant eye on evil and separates it entirely, eternally.

We deal with evil now because we are here to become our authentic selves: God wants to know who each of us truly are when we have the ability (freedom) to be anything we want to be. Unfortunately some choose evil and there are repercussions but in Heaven, the good and evil have been organized and anything which is not good is banished.

9:45 Jesus reiterates that we must fix ourselves, remove ourselves from bad decisions, people and situations. We must do our best not to be manipulated by temptation or evil.

9:46 Again, evil will never escape it's punishment. But God does not torture souls, God is a loving God. He completely wipes evil souls from existence. The possibility for evil though, God sets fire to forever.

9:47 Be aware of your perception. You must always strive to be compassionate and observant. Do not hate others because of a limited perspective. God welcomes all people into His house, He gives everyone a chance who asks for one. We must be open and welcoming to new and different ideas and people. We have so much to learn from each other.

Do not protect your own beliefs and deny another person's...God has abundance space in His house for so many different varieties of love and compassion.

9:48  Evil will never triumph or return in Heaven. Find peace in that and comfort in the fact that your God abolishes evil. Take comfort in the fact that your God does not allow suffering, even of His enemies; because of His compassionate heart... they lose existence. And it's quite a loss for them. In an eternity we will live with our Father and will be loved and protected and nurtured by Him.

9:49 In the first part of this verse we learn that God will test all of our souls (not with literal fire). Metaphorically speaking, God needs to weed out the true strong, pure, compassionate souls from the brittle, corrupt and evil souls.

Our salt is our spirit. Our spirit brings influence into the world... the seasoning of the world. We must decide what influence we are going to bring.

9:50 An evil soul loses it's spirit and therefore is harmful and useless to the world. Jesus teaches us to have a strong, beautiful spirit and to be inclusive and loving with others.

So many people look to divide and separate others based on age, religion, ethnicity, heritage, socioeconomics... there are an endless amount of difference humanity focuses on. Jesus wants you to know that compassion is compassion is compassion, no matter how it's clothed.

NT: The Book of Mark, Chapter 8

Mark 8:1-38

8:1 This opening verse of Chapter 8 is a metaphor in itself. There is a multitude of people in need of the Word of God but had no teacher, so Jesus called 12 disciples who He would instruct to become teachers in order to spread the Word around the world.

8:2 Jesus has compassion (God always has compassion, too). He wants to teach and feed these people who have so faithfully been following Him. We also receive nourishment when we follow our God.

8:3 Jesus does not want to send us out into the world on our own. It's a difficult journey without God's nourishment. Jesus wants these people (and us) to be strong for the journey that is our life. He does not want us to be weak or held back by inability.

8:4 The disciples were nervous, they felt incapable of such a grand task. They were standing before a great number of people and both literally and spiritually-figuratively, they could not fathom how they would be able to satisfy them all. We often have the same worry: we wonder how we can possibly make an impact on the Earth. The answer for both disciples and for us is: With, Through, By, and For God all things are possible.

8:5 Jesus asks them what they have to feed the multitude; metaphorically He asks them what they believe they are capable of. Their answer falls short of what they need. 

8:6 Jesus tells the multitude to sit and rest. This is God's first order of business. God always wants us to rest in Him. It's also His time to organize our chaotic minds so that He can feed us. Jesus took the loaves of bread but I want you to think of it this way: Jesus took the proclamations of the disciples, gave thanks to God for being with them and for blessing them and then turned the 7 into many, many more.

Next is interesting: Jesus created so much bread (so much opportunity, so much ability to spread so much wisdom and knowledge for the children) but He shared the responsibility of spreading it with the disciples. God will give us so many gifts and abilities and with them, we are supposed to use them to bring gifts and abilities to others. Jesus allows us to be fellow-workers of God. 1 Corinthians 9. It's a special and important opportunity for us. God equips us with the ability to do His work. God honors us with such responsibility. 

A compassionate heart understands the miracle that is loving another, helping another, supporting another, feeding another soul. 

8:7 Jesus takes all that is offered and multiplies it. Think of it this way, the disciples told Jesus of their capabilities and feared that they were too small, too inefficient... so Jesus magnified them. God makes all things possible when we are devoted and dedicated to maintaining His word and our relationship with Him.

8:8 With these blessings through Jesus from God, the mass of people were taught, fed and nourished. They received the love and instruction of God from His fellow workers so that they could become fellow workers themselves. Do not skip over the fact that there were leftovers. God gives so much, He spares nothing... everything He is and Has is open and offered to us. God is endlessly generous and yet He always has more, and more, and more for as many people who ask for it. God is abundance.

8:9 You could think of this story as a story of food but I want you to understand that this multitude of people were not fed by bread but instead by Jesus' teaching. Jesus revealed a way to receive and retain eternal life and love. Jesus revealed a way to master patience and forgiveness, selflessness and compassion. Jesus revealed a way for us to persevere through this if in order to get to our next one. Jesus fed the stomachs of these people in order to teach a metaphorical message that God feeds our souls. 

8:10 Immediately, Jesus and the disciples continue on their way. Jesus does not waste time. You are so important to God, He does not dillydally in reaching you. When you call Him, when you need and love Him, He is there. Immediately. You speak to Him and your voice is in His ear. Your soul is always in His heart, what you are feeling He is feeling with you in that very moment. You are never alone. Your struggles belong to both you and God and together you will conquer them. Your pain or sadness shrinks to nothing in the presence of His light. 

When you accept God, when you speak to Him... you and He are tethered. 

8:11 The Pharisees came out to dispute with Jesus again. They do not receive such blessings as we have been talking about because they have closed their hearts. They have rejected love and compassion. We choose or deny God's gifts. God does not punish us, we punish ourselves by ignoring Him or disputing against Him. 

The Pharisees only concern is retaining their power in the community. They do not want to lose their fame and wealth. If people stop following their orders and all turn to God, they would be without all of the wealth and control they have procured. 

They try to get Jesus to perform a sign, a miracle (as if He hasn't been doing so daily!).

8:12 Jesus signed deeply in His spirit. It is a weight on Jesus for souls to argue and try to taint the beautiful and perfect word of God. Jesus wants everyone to be kind and honest and when He encounters such a crooked, greedy soul, it affects Him profoundly.

Jesus is not a circus act. Jesus will not perform a sign 1) because they only want to see a sign to disprove Him, not because their hearts are faithful and 2) because when we choose to love God, we must choose to love Him for WHO He is and what He stands for... instead of what He can DO. In our own lives we want to be loved in the same way. We want people to love us for who we are not what we can do for them. That kind of love is cheap and selfish. God wants our true love.

8:13-14 Jesus and the disciples continue into the boat. The disciples realize they did not bring enough food (nourishment for their bodies). However the disciples again miss the metaphor.

8:15 Jesus cautions the disciples (and us) to never succumb or fall victim to the nourishment that is offered by deceptive, greedy people. When you are hungry, when you need help or guidance, ensure that you choose the right guide... ensure that you choose the right nourishment. Jesus wants the disciples to be aware and observant. Sometimes when we are in a difficult situation we become frantic and make desperate decisions when all along we could have chosen God. God always helps us to find a way out of a stressful situation... we need to develop the faith to believe that in order to see that path lit up.

8:16 The disciples are not understanding the message (metaphorically or spiritually). Our bodies need food yes, but more importantly, our souls need nourishment from God. We should not follow corrupt leaders or "friends" for they will always confuse and destroy our lives.

8:17 Jesus is baffled. He has proven to them time and time again that He will always lead them and will always feed them. I truly believe the disciples took to long to grasp the message because it is realistic of our own everyday lives. Faith is something that needs to be developed and strengthened over time. We learn that God is our nourishment and our guide but until we believe it and allow it to guide our lives, we continue to falter during moments of difficulty. God is patient and He works with us when we ask Him to help us develop our faith.

8:18 By these sayings Jesus is questioning their spiritual-perception. One way to think of this is to think of the color purple. Someone who is not perceptive will see purple. Someone who is perceptive will see the red and blue which creates the purple. The phrase "eyes to see and hears to hear" speaks of our perception. We must be observant and analytical in all things so as to see the deeper meaning.

8:19-21 Jesus reminds them of the very moments just before this conversation: He made the impossible possible. He provided for everyone when it appeared it could not be done. We must be perceptive to see that God is capable of more than the surface or superficial situation suggests. 

8:22-23 Jesus heals a blind man. We can also think of this as Jesus giving the gift of perception. God will open your mind up to the deeper meanings of things when you are spiritually ready and willing. 

8:24 For a moment, Jesus gifts this man the ability to see men as trees. Therefore: Jesus gifts this man the ability of perception. Suddenly this man is able to see a deeper, metaphorical world.

The metaphor of Men, or humans, as trees is this: 

1) We each bear fruit. Our actions, our compassion and our giving are the quantification of our fruit. We either grow sweet or bitter fruit. We either work compassionately in our lives or selfishly. 

2) We constantly grow and evolve due to our surroundings. We work to adapt to our environments and to help us grow with strength, God shines His ever warm light freely and abundantly. He sends the rain when we thirst and the winds (the opportunities) to spread the seeds we produce.

8:25 Jesus made the metaphor very apparent so that we could understand perception. He restores this man's sight to what we are familiar with but the perception remains. The ability to perceive remains.

8:26 Jesus does not want the man to go into the town and stir up a frenzy. He wants this man to continue in His life, now with the ability to both see and perceive truth, and help others with His new ability. God wants us to be productive. God wants our love and He wants our action. It's beautiful to tell Him you love Him and to exemplify that to others but always stay focused on His mission.

8:27 Jesus is going to question whether or not the disciples have been listening to gossip and letting it influence their lives.

8:28 Everyone in the town has a different opinion of who Jesus is. We can learn from this. Instead of wasting time gossiping and wondering... listen for and learn the truth for yourself.

8:29 Jesus wants to know if they have PERCEIVED the truth. They have. They know Who Jesus is and Who is sent from.

a) Christ comes from the Greek word Christos, which means Anointed: We know that God anointed Jesus by blessing Him and His mission on Earth.

b) Jesus comes from the Hebrew word Yeshua, which means Salvation: We also know that Jesus is our salvation because He teaches us how to find and foster safety for ourselves and for others both in this life and in the next.

Also, while we are on the topic of name origins:

c) God tells us His "name" in Exodus 3:14. The reason I put "name" in parenthesis is because God is indescribable. God is a force, an energy, a many universe... unfathomable in wonder and wisdom. His name is a description of what He is. God calls Himself: I AM. In Hebrew this is: ehyeh ašer ehyeh. By this  we can understand that God IS. God IS alive. He IS wisdom. He IS abundance. He IS love. God says, I am and we learn by this statement that He always IS, always has been and always will be. He is in a constant state of BEING. As humans, we do not fully understand or grasp this concept. God is indescribable because He is beyond what we can fathom (in the best and most amazing ways).

God is referred to in many ways in the Bible but what is most important that you know is this: God knows, understands, loves and protects you in such an intimate way that names are even unnecessary. He knows your soul. When you open yourself up to Him, you will know Him by His soul and names lose their necessity. God recognizes you, heart, mind, and soul. 

Continuing on:

8:30 Jesus does not want the disciples to run through the cities exclaiming Who Jesus is because He wants people to learn from Him and to learn HIM. He wants people to learn about God's message and what He stands for. He wants people to become faithful to the kind and compassionate message. Jesus does not seek fame. Jesus works for our benefit. God wants us to know who He is and He wants us to love Him because we agree that compassion, honesty and love are the foundation of everything. 

8:31 Here Jesus explains to the disciples the rest of His journey. Jesus came to Earth knowing that He would be rejected, harmed and then killed. The message Jesus wanted to bring to you was so strong and so important to Him that He was so willing and ready to accept His earthly fate. Jesus experiences the struggles and situations we deal with first hand for Himself. He wanted to come to show us that although we may have enemies or challenges, we rise, always in God. 

8:32-33 Peter rejected this truth that Jesus taught to them. It's really, especially important that we listen and trust God when He teaches us something because He is always helping us to become prepared and cautious and brave. Jesus spoke the word of God to Peter and Peter denied it (likely because he did not want to believe that Jesus would suffer such things). But Peter, and we also, have to learn that God's plan has indeed been planned in detail for specific purposes. Although we may not always understand, God has our best interests in the forefront of His mind. In the present moment, it seemed like a terrible end to lose Jesus but as we know now, His death brought about immeasurable happiness and strength. 

The people who deny what God teaches: which is love, compassion and honesty, are choosing hate, selfishness and deceit instead. Jesus does not want us to deny the Word of God because He knows it will harm our own lives and others as well. He cares about us.

We learn and work through the Word of God so that we can accurately and perceptively learn and work in our lives. We learn it to see how to live and to see what is coming. Peter denied it becomes it seemed wrong and/or scary but we should not make this mistake. God is always right and always gives us strength over fear when we trust Him. Whatever is coming to us is coming to us WITH God and so we can handle it.

8:34 Amazing and important instruction in this verse. If you want to live as Jesus did, if you want to stand for and work for what God stands for: you must become selfless and humble and brave. God will help you to do this. Jesus received beautiful and abundant blessings from God not because Jesus asked for them but instead because Jesus got rid of His own desires for the benefit of others. Jesus' entire life was dedicated to others instead of to Himself. It's a hard thing to do, to learn to put others before yourself because in order to do that, you must have strength and love and belief in yourself with God and then use those things to bring gifts to others.

It's a mighty and lifelong task and sometimes we fail or fall short. We are so blessed because God is patient and understanding and forgiving. He knows when we try, try, try with everything we have. He knows our true heart.

8:35 When you neglect or even harm others to protect your own safety or fortune, you certainly will lose it. When you are willing to lose your own fortune for others God will make you rich with love and eternity. Arrange your priorities: God puts His love for you and the other children first. We must have our priorities arranged so well. 

8:36 You can spend your entire life procuring wealth, control, material, land, fame... but when your life on Earth is over, you will have none of that. God does not value those things at all. God values love and compassion, honesty and humility. With your love, compassion, honesty and humility you reach heaven not with useless "stuff" but instead with God's blessings and all the children you helped save with God's help and those very traits. 

Do not taint or corrupt your soul because you will lose it. When you are given the opportunity, always help others. Always be a home for someone who genuinely needs it if you have the financial, emotional, physical ability to do so. If you ask God, He will bring so many people into your life who are in need of your very own abilities

8:37 Will you trade your soul for a wealthy, powerful life on Earth? I assure you it's a trick. Your soul is worth so much more than the corruption on the Earth. What matters, what nourishes you is love not wealth. Be sincere with others and receive their sincere love and support in return -- this is a true wealth.

8:38 You get to determine your relationship with God. You get to define your relationship with God. He returns all of the love we give, all of the life we support, all of the protection we provide others. But if you do not value what He stands for -- which is compassion for all -- He will not value what you stand for. 

We are so blessed to be the architects of our relationship with God. Our lives are in our hands... until we make the decision to put our lives in God's hands... and then we are so loved, protected and guided.

NT: The Book of Mark, Chapter 7

Mark 7:1-37

7:1 Jesus' adversaries gather to try to contend with Him again.

7:2 These men are trying to debase Jesus' message by targeting the disciples for making silly mistakes.

7:3 There was a tradition to wash before eating. While it's a good idea to wash before eating, this mistake is not big enough to ruin or corrupt all of the good the disciples are doing.

If we think about this as a metaphor, these adversaries of Jesus might be questioning whether or not the 12 disciples are worthy of the great and beautiful task they have been given. In God, we are all clean, no matter how many mistakes we have made. When we are sincere about wanting to be compassionate and better, God cleans our soul. God loves when we turn from a crooked path onto His straight one. He welcomes all people and will give beautiful gifts and tasks to those who are kind, regardless of whether they have made mistakes in their past.

7:4-5 So, because they disciples did not follow the small suggestions about hand-washing, the disciples try to attack Jesus by debasing them.

7:6 Jesus recites scripture to them and meant to teach this message: those who cling to rules and not to compassion are confused. God loves and accepts all people who do their best and live as their best self. The Pharisees and scribes (head political and church officials) like to condemn people for making small mistakes but that is not what God teaches. God teaches to love and lead others. 

7:7 Some people pretend to love God just so that they can use scripture to control and condemn others. This is wrong. This is not what God stands for.

7:8 Jesus is explaining that they have lost God's message by making up their own rules and punishing people who do not follow them.

7:9 They are hypocrites. They claim to follow the word of God but instead they completely miss and neglect the message. Some people want to be in control so badly that they create rules and force a society of people to follow them. God is against that.

7:10 Jesus is going to give them (and us) an example of how human's try to corrupt the word of God.

7:11-13 Moses taught that we should be kind to our parents. Jesus is saying that if we are only kind to people because we are hoping to get a reward... we miss the entire message and purpose of the Bible. We are supposed to be selfless and kind. So, although someone might be following a commandment, the fact that they are doing so selfishly discredits its goodness.

7:14-15 God does not judge us based on what is done to us, what harms us or misguides us. God judges us based on our own actions. God watches what we put INTO the world. He knows that we do not always get the best FROM the world... but He hopes that we will put good into it.

7:16 If you have the discernment from God to understand things, understand it and put it into actions. Put good into the world from within yourself... selflessly, courageously, with God.

7:17-18 The disciples have questions about the parable just taught by Jesus. We should only worry about the dirty actions and ideas we put into our heart and believe in. If our soul and spirit is clean and kind, we do not have to worry. This is a beautiful metaphor that we get from these verses concerning hand-washing. The word of God will go so deep if you let it!

7:19 God does not check our body to see how kind we were, He checks our heart. He checks our soul.

7:20 The only things about us that can ruin us with their uncleanliness (speaking spiritually) is greed, vengeance, deceit, injustice...Those are the traits we should worry about. Those are the dirt we should avoid.

7:21-23 What defile a person are their bad, mean, evil thoughts. You lose your eternal life when you are filled with greed and hatred. This may not pertain to you on a large scale, but we should always be aware of the moments were we could be kinder and more selfless. Never let anyone walk on you, or use you, but try to create as much positivity in the world as you can. Do not let anyone judge you on your mistakes -- if you are kind and compassionate, clear-minded with God, you are healthy.

7:24 Jesus continues to travel extreme lengths to reach the children of God. His popularity is growing and therefore making it harder for Him to travel efficiently.

7:25 A woman with an ailing daughter travels to meet Jesus. She has faith in this man she has heard about and she wants to use her faith not for herself but for her daughter. God loves when we pray and work for others and in return He takes care of us too.

7:26 She was persistent.

7:27 This can be a difficult verse to understand so let's talk about it. Jesus came to teach and heal all people. Jesus' intimate focus was with the disciples. Jesus knew He needed to teach and create new teachers so that the Word would continue for many generations. In a way also, Jesus is perceiving this woman's faith -- does she truly value His word and will she work to keep it close to her?

Jesus is only trying to explain to her that His mission is to teach first the people who will hear it. God had a specific plan for Jesus to follow to do the most good. He could not veer off track. Jesus knew the places where His presence would do the most good in the limited time He had.

God does not see anyone as a dog. The metaphor means that Jesus could not devote His time to places where He would not even be listened to. He needed to reach people so that they could reach others when He was gone. To teach to people who would not receive it or spread it would be a waste of time. Jesus knew that eventually the Word would reach those places -- that was the mission He was preparing His disciples for. He was impassioned and ardent in His teaching the disciples because He knew they would have a difficult job ahead of them. Jesus taught the disciples because He and God love every single person. God had a plan to reach every corner of the world and His plan was detailed. Jesus had to stay on His track so that the disciples could reach theirs.

7:28 This woman shows her faith by making this statement: Yes, she understands that there is a plan and a purpose to teach the disciples so that in the future they can reach the places Jesus did not have time to reach (a place from where she was from).

Next, this woman makes a valid point which I believe Jesus knew she would make and could therefore use as a lesson for us and an opportunity for her to show her deep faith.

The good work that Jesus teaches trickles throughout the world. The woman is saying that even though her family is scheduled for later on the itinerary, the Word has reached her, the Bread has reached her, and she has consumed it. She saw God's love through Jesus and it had taken over her soul in the best way. She proclaimed to Jesus that the faith had become her life and until that point she had only even had a little.

7:29 Jesus heals her daughter. He was always going to have compassion for the woman and her daughter but He created this opportunity for learning by conversing with her. God is with ALL of us, whether or not life has taught us or promoted the way. This woman had faith, humility, compassion and selflessness. God never overlooks the people who possess those traits.

7:30 She went home, believing firmly in Jesus, and found Jesus's words to be true. She knew He would keep His word. She arrived home and her daughter was healed and resting. Each of us are healed and well-rested in God.

She had absolute faith in Him. She did not ask for proof or double check His answer... no, she knew that what He said was true. We must develop our faith to be so strong. God's going to take care of us... the patience from our faith leads us to His gifts.

7:31 Jesus keeps moving throughout His planned journey.

7:32 A ailing man was brought to Jesus to be healed. These people showed their belief in Jesus by asking Him TO help the man instead of asking Him IF He was ABLE to heal the man. They also show their compassion by helping this man get to Jesus. They were not thinking of themselves or rewards for themselves but instead they were seeking help for another.

7:33-35 Jesus can heal everything through God. Our strength of our faith determines the strength of our relationship with Him. Make it easy for God to reach you, to communicate with you... to understand you. You expedite your blessings from Him when you maintain a healthy relationship with Him.

7:36 Jesus is surrounded almost at all times by crowds and He is not after fame. He needs to be able to move throughout the cities to work. However, Jesus' humility and healing were not something people could keep quiet about (understandably!). This is the way of God... He does not celebrate Himself. He is humble, selfless and compassionate. However those traits resonate so profoundly with us and we cannot help but to feel so proud and comforted by Him.

7:37 They were astonished. We are astonished. Jesus is not walking around in these current times openly healing ailments but I assure you that God with with each of those who are with Him. His blessings are abundant. We receive so much strength from Him, so much guidance and protection that even with ailment, we succeed. He makes us strong and therefore with Him inside of us, we bring light to places of darkness in the world.

NT: The Book of Mark, Chapter 6

Mark 6:1-56

6:1 Jesus returns to the place where He is well known -- but not as the Son of God, instead as a child of Mary and a sibling of her children.

6:2 Jesus began to teach God's message but these people had a difficult time differentiating Him from the small boy they knew who grew up there.

6:3 It was difficult for them to grasp the fact that this person whom they had all considered was "normal" or "average" was actually this beautiful manifestation of God.

6:4 Jesus teaches us that sometimes it's difficult for our friends and family to see us for all that we are capable of -- they are so used to us as children or as cohorts that our action in a certain area is surprising to them.

6:5 Jesus does his best there. He heals and continues to speak.

6:6 He went throughout the country but people just could not accept Him as the Son of God; they were too familiar with Him as they had known him before.

6:7 The disciples had received much instruction from Jesus as this point in time and because of their belief, Jesus entrusted and gifted them with the ability to help Him bring and lead people to God.

6:8-9 Jesus sent them out to the people with nothing extra. God brings His children toward Him without luring them with money or fancy clothes... or anything. God knows that His love is enough to comfort us.

God also wants us to know that when we go out in our journeys, all we need to be ready, prepared and successful is Him.

This will also allow the disciples to discern who sincerely wants to help and receive them into their homes. God wants us to express our true selves -- will we help someone who is kind and honest but who has nothing for us to benefit from? Going out and relying on the goodwill of people was something that had to be done with a lot of bravery... with a lot of faith.

People who did not have a kind heart would reject them and people who did would welcome them.

Moreover, the word "bag" is translated from the word "scrip" which was often used to collect money from people. God does not collect money -- He did not want Jesus' disciples collected from people. He wanted them to heal and teach.

6:10 Jesus wanted them to fully commit to the places they entered. When travelling during this time, there was often ceremony for guests and Jesus did not want any time wasted on ceremony. He wanted the disciples to find lodging and then get to work. 

6:11 Jesus told them that whoever rejects the word of God, taught by the disciples, was to be left alone. God does not want us forcing His word onto people. God wants each individual to make the decision to hear and learn for themselves.

Shake off the dust under your feet -- God wants us to continue being progressive. When someone rejects us, He wishes for us to continue on in helping others. 

6:12 So the disciples went out and taught that if people would be authentically fair and kind in how they lived their lives, they could work on their relationship with God and truly benefit. 

6:13 The disciples began to do great work with the ability and wisdom God rewarded them with.

6:14 Jesus is gaining popularity at this point. King Herod, who is terrified of losing his own control and power, worries that John the Baptist is still alive.

6:15 There are a lot of rumors going around about who Jesus is.

6:16 Herod is paranoid because he feels guilt and shame because he is responsible for John the Baptist's death.

6:17 We learned this in Matthew. Herod ordered John the Baptist to be killed.

6:18 John had given Herod a bit of good advice and instead of listening, Herod had him killed.

6:19 The woman John was involved with was indignant and ordered Herod to have John killed.

6:20 Herod believed in John's message and he had nothing against John...

6:21-25 But Herod himself was a weak and desirous man.Herod but his desires before his good logic and decision making. He promised to kill John the Baptist to please the girl.

6:26-28 Herod did not want to kill John but he did because Herod had no control over his desires and he had no strength or faith in God.

6:29 The disciples took care of John after his Earthly "death". Remember John went to be with God. Still, the disciples respected the body (vessel) which carried John in his time here.

6:30 The disciples had been getting so busy doing work for God! They reassembled with Jesus and spoke excitedly to Him about all that they had been able to do because of His teaching and God's guidance. They put their whole minds and bodies into the task.

6:31 Jesus gave them time to rest and strengthen themselves. We must also remember that God loves all of His children, including those who are serving His other children. He wants us to take care of ourselves. He wants us to take time to contemplate, to talk to Him, to rest our bodies. He wants us to be in good mental and physical health.

6:32 The disciples listened to Jesus' advice.

6:33 At this point it was very difficult to find solitude because Jesus was so popular. People constantly wanted to be with Him, learning from Him.

6:34 This is one of the most amazing, instructive verses of the Bible:

1) Jesus was moved with compassion for them. Jesus was so in love, so nurturing toward God's children. Jesus had so much compassion that it moved Him, emotionally. His love is so strong. We should love others so much that it inspires us to ACT, so much that our breath is taken away for a moment.

2)  Because they were like sheep with no shepherd. These people, and the people today are so lost. The world is difficult and because of that, our emotions are so tumultuous. We need guidance and love. Jesus' whole life was dedicated to helping YOU, ME, US, THE WORLD find guidance and love. His teaching created a path for us to get there. He became our shepherd.

6:35 As the evening progressed, the disciples thought they should send everyone home to eat. They were in a deserted place, there was no food, no shelter. There's going to be a great message in this.

6:36 The disciples want to send everyone home to go find and purchase their own bread, their own sustenance.

Let's pause here momentarily to uncover the metaphor: The disciples in a way refer to the Earth and our time here. They want everyone to go take cover in their houses and to search for/ purchase their own food -- in other words, the disciples are not thinking spiritually. We get our shelter and our sustenance from God. We do not depart from God to find it... we stay with Him, in His word.

6:37 No, Jesus says. You must feed them. In other words, the students of God must spread the message. Students of God must become teachers of God.

6:38 How much do you have to give, Jesus asks them. They are still not thinking spiritually. We have an abundance to give when we love and trust and learned from God. The disciples count their bread and fish and find that they do not have enough. This does not concern Jesus, let's find out why.

6:39 Jesus begins His plan to feed all of these people.

6:40 Everyone sat down, and we find out that there were A LOT of people. The ratio between disciples and hungry people was disparate. There were more people than they thought they could handle.

6:41 Jesus spoke to God. Jesus looked up to heaven -- He acknowledged our father and therefore received this blessing of being able to feed so many.

Metaphorically, the disciples were likely communicating their concerns with Jesus. They probably did not feel capable enough to teach so many. It's a huge, seemingly impossible task. We have so few true teachers in the world and so many, many people who need and crave to be taught. Jesus is teaching us here that if we have faith, trust and love for God we will receive everything we need to accomplish this. It's so important that we remember.

6:42 Everyone was filled. God has enough love and wisdom to fill each of His children. God can pour so much love into us if we ask for it, if we believe in it, if we trust in it. We can be so consumed by His strength and protection.

6:43 Everyone was filled and there was more leftover. God takes the impossible and makes it possible for us. God has more love for us than we even think we need. There is enough, more than enough for everyone. God is abundance.

6:44 All of these men, not even included in the number: women and children, were fed. All of these people received Jesus' message and were so filled with God's love and guidance. When we believe, when we work hard and have faith, we can do everything and anything with God.

God did not feed everyone and run out... no, God has enough love, enough wisdom for everyone who wants it. No matter how many more people show up to learn and love, He can and will take care of them.

6:45 Now that they people were taken care of, Jesus gets back on the move.

6:46 Jesus made time to go a speak with and to God. Always set aside this time with God -- it will heal you and correct your direction. Tell God what's going on inside of you, inside of your world because He cares and He can help you. He awaits your voice in His ear. Jesus was always focused and strong because He kept God in the center of His heart.

6:47 The disciples are on the boat. Jesus is on land praying to God.

6:48 The disciples were caught in a storm -- likely a metaphor testing their faith during adversity. Jesus could see them struggling.

6:49 Jesus made His way toward them, by walking on the sea. I know for some people, these ideas are difficult to grasp. If it is, always think metaphorically because these verses are meant to teach a message. God can get to us. There is no obstacle God cannot cross. Jesus is not limited by anything because He has complete love and faith in God.

The disciples themselves were in awe. They could not believe their eyes. They were still developing their faith and we get to benefit from the lessons they taught us. Never forget that God is always with you. Never think that God cannot reach or hear you. He is always vigilant and watching over you.

6:50 Do not be afraid. God is here with you. Do not let fear stunt you --- you are strong in and with God.

6:51 Jesus stopped the storm. God stops the storms in our lives and He also helps us through them. He gives us the perseverance and the wisdom to untangle ourselves from trouble. There is so much to learn from Him in this book. When you speak directly to Him, you learn even more.

6:52 The disciples had missed the message, the metaphor about the bread and feeding. They did not realize or believe yet that God could save them, protect them, love them through all trouble. Their hearts were not open spiritually yet. They will get there! You will get there. God provides. God protects. Learn from His metaphors, they will guide you through life.

6:53 The crossed the water and again reached another place.

5:54 Everyone knew who Jesus was at this point.

5:55 People brought their ailing friends and family to Jesus. There are a lot of ailments in life, we struggle with physical, emotional and mental troubles. God can heal them all. God can brings us up out of anything and everything. People had faith and worked to seek Jesus to be healed. We must work to seek Jesus to be healed as well. Our work and our seeking reveals to God that we truly love and trust Him.

5:56 As many as touched Him were made well. Whoever seeks God is helped and loved. God loves every single soul, so, so much. If we reach out to Him, He grasps our hand firmly and eternally.